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Martinez sent to Triple-A, expected back in September

Martinez sent to Triple-A, expected back in September

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By Brian McTaggart
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MLB.com |

CHICAGO -- As expected, the Astros optioned right-hander David Martinez to Triple-A Oklahoma City on Tuesday to make room for Paul Clemens, who was added to the rotation and made his first Major League start on Tuesday.

Martinez appeared in two games with the Astros, allowing six hits and four runs (three earned) in 5 1/3 innings. He picked up his first career win Monday when he threw 2 2/3 innings and allowed five hits and three runs and blew a save.

"I was impressed with the fact he came into the game and didn't fare so well in the first inning and went back out and kept the game right there and gave the offense a chance to hit two big home runs and the bullpen chance to close it out late," manager Bo Porter said. "He did a tremendous job, and I think we'll be seeing him back here when the Triple-A playoffs are over."

Martinez was mostly a starter in the Minor Leagues this year, going 14-2 with a 2.02 ERA in 26 games (18 starts) at Double-A Corpus Christi before pitching in a couple of games at Triple-A prior to the Astros calling him up. At Corpus Christi, he often was the second "starter" in the Astros' tandem pitching philosophy.

"He's been productive throughout the Minor Leagues," Porter said. "You just look at the success he's had over the last two years, he's performed. He's went out and performed each and every year. He's a guy that gives us a lot of flexibility [in terms of starting or relieving]."